The newest opening sequence for The Simpsons is a clever twist on its classic intro, and it will make you think about the show’s entire history – all the way back to the beginning. This ‘couch gag’ highlights how long the series has been running and how much things have changed over the years.
Simpsons’ New Couch Gag Exposes How the Law Has Changed
Discussing Film recently highlighted a new opening sequence, or “couch gag,” from The Simpsons. This gag, which aired with the show’s 800th episode – the finale of its thirty-seventh season – depicts Homer getting seriously injured when Marge accidentally hits him with her car, sending him flying through a door.
This joke refers to a change in the show’s opening credits that happened in season 20. Previously, Homer would run through the door while yelling. The updated opening shows what happens after he crashes through it, turning a silly, physical gag into something more dramatic and unexpected.
The absolute funniest moment happens at the very end, with Homer exclaiming, “Why the heck was Maggie in the front seat?”
How Simpsons’ New Couch Gag Changes the Opening
From the very beginning, the show’s opening credits have featured a running joke: it looks like Maggie is driving the family car. However, the camera pulls back to reveal Marge is actually behind the wheel, and Maggie is just pretending to drive with a toy steering wheel.
When The Simpsons first aired in 1989, after initially appearing on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, viewers didn’t question Marge putting baby Maggie in the front seat. Today, it’s clearly dangerous and against the law in many places. Modern airbags and safety statistics show it’s much riskier for children under eight to ride in the front. Of course, Maggie is actually 39 years old – if the show followed real-time aging, she’d be old enough to drive herself!
By 2026, seeing a baby unrestrained in the front seat is a major red flag, and it’s ironic that Homer points this out right before getting hit by a car.
It wasn’t intended to portray Marge as a careless driver, but given how long The Simpsons has been on television, views on car safety have evolved. Once you notice it, it’s hard to watch the show’s opening credits without realizing Maggie is riding unsafely in the front seat.
After 39 Years, Simpsons Has Aged in Some Major Ways
The show’s beginning isn’t the only thing that feels dated over time. The history of Marge and Homer has been rewritten several times to fit the show’s current timeline. Fans have also noticed that, realistically, they couldn’t afford their house with only one parent working, and Krusty the Clown wouldn’t be a successful children’s entertainer by today’s standards.
The show has also addressed criticism about its portrayal of characters like Apu. In 2020, it announced a policy that actors will no longer voice characters of a different race. Beyond that, many characters have become more exaggerated over the years – a trend known as ‘Flanderization,’ named after Ned Flanders from The Simpsons.
With over three decades on the air, The Simpsons has naturally seen many changes, and a recent opening sequence playfully pokes fun at the show’s iconic beginning.
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2026-02-21 15:43